From restaurateur to poker player, Rauschkolb is all in

Dave Rauschkolb is a man of many talents — noted surfer, successful restaurateur, and now, winning poker player.

In September, Rauschkolb won the main event at the Emerald Coast Poker Championship at Ebro, beating out 67 others and taking home $9,100.

“I’m not a gambler per se,” said the self-described fiercely competitive Rauschkolb. “I don’t go to casinos or play slot machines, but once I get interested in something, well, there are not too many things I do that I don’t become obsessed with being successful at.”

Rauschkolb said he started watching poker tournaments on TV about six years ago, and then began playing in home games.

He started going to Ebro about three-and-a-half years ago, playing in dry stack and multi-table tournaments, and has often been the leader in wins, money and tournaments there.

He has also traveled to Las Vegas to play during the World Series of Poker event.

“I haven’t played in the big event, but I have earned my way into two smaller events that week for the past two years and have earned my way into it for next year,” he said proudly.

Buy in for the main event at the World Series of Poker is $10,000.

Rauschkolb said winning at poker is not a matter of luck, as with slot machines.

“People who win consistently in poker do so because they practice,” he said. “It takes a great amount of patience and timed aggression. A lot of people are intimidated by it and afraid to try. It’s like anything else — after you practice, you get good at it, and you get good just by playing.”

Rauschkolb said he loves the competition and sitting at the table with people from all walks of life.

Rauschkolb said there are a variety of online sites where folks can practice, and Johnny O’Quigley’s in Destin offers games of Texas Hold ‘Em weekly on Sundays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays. While no money changes hands there, prizes of T-shirts and gift certificates are up for grabs.

“If you’re competitive and you like to play cards, you’ll like it. I try to play as often as I can,” he said.